Ruthless Reds ease into UCL quarter-finals

FC Bayern sealed their place in the UEFA Champions League last eight with a 4-1 win (7-1 on aggregate) at home to Chelsea on Saturday evening, setting a competition record by making it eight wins out of eight in Europe this term. Early goals from Robert Lewandowski and Ivan Perišić put the Reds 2-0 up on the night, before Tammy Abraham reduced the deficit on the stroke of half-time. Corentin Tolisso and Lewandowski completed the scoring late on as FCB progress to the finals tournament in Lisbon, where they will play Barcelona in a one-legged quarter-final on Friday 14 August.

Hansi Flick’s line-up showed two changes from the one that started in his side’s last competitive match, the DFB Cup final victory over Bayer Leverkusen just over a month ago. Benjamin Pavard missed out due to injury, so Joshua Kimmich moved to right-back with Thiago partnering Leon Goretzka in midfield, while Perišić came in for Kingsley Coman, who was also not fit enough to be involved.

Lead extended

With a 3-0 advantage from the first leg, Bayern looked confident and comfortable from the off and extended their lead inside the opening 10 minutes at the Allianz Arena. Lewandowski was brought down in the penalty area by Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero and although the initial decision was offside, VAR overruled and a penalty was awarded, which Lewandowski tucked away to extend his lead at the top of the Champions League goalscoring chart.

The Reds made it 2-0 on the night and 5-0 on aggregate in the 24th minute, when Thomas Müller dispossessed Matoe Kovačić and Lewandowski picked out Perišić, who side-footed it in at the near post. There was a brief moment of hope for the visitors when Callum Hudson-Odoi found the net from long range, but VAR was again on Bayern’s side, spotting an offside in the build-up. However, Chelsea did manage to pull a goal back just before the break, Abraham tapping in after Manuel Neuer spilled Emerson’s low cross.

Another goal and assist for Lewy

With the tie effectively over as a contest, both teams could play without pressure. Mason Mount fired straight at Neuer early on, while Müller volleyed into the ground and over the bar on the hour mark. There was a welcome sight for Bayern fans when centre-back Niklas Süle came on for his first appearance since suffering an ACL tear in October.

FCB continued to create opportunities and Thiago’s header from a corner had to cleared off the line in the 67th minute. The third goal eventually arrived in the 76th minute, and it was Lewandowski who was again the provider, crossing for unmarked substitute Tolisso in front of goal. The Pole then netted another goal for himself on 84 minutes, powering a header home from Alvaro Odriozola’s cross. It was a fitting end to the tie, with Lewandowski being involved in all seven of Bayern’s goals over the two legs.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Joseph Rutter